Paradise Catering absolutely crushed our California cuisine menu and exceeded every expectation! From our very first tasting, every single bite was perfection. Our menu featured three passed hors d'oeuvres, a Don Angie-inspired Caesar salad (off their regular menu!), miso black cod, filet mignon, and tofu with artichoke. Many guests made a point to tell me how delicious their food was - that's how you know you've found an exceptional caterer. Beyond the incredible flavors, the presentation was artistically plated and looked very elevated, perfect for our Carmel Valley celebration. I cannot recommend Paradise Catering enough if you're looking for outstanding catering in the area. They made our wedding dining experience truly special! read more

I recently had the pleasure of working with Paradise Catering for my wedding, and they truly exceeded all expectations! From start to finish, they delivered THE MOST delicious food, making our special day unforgettable. For the cocktail hour, Paradise cooked four exceptional hors d'oeuvres: tamale lollipops, lobster rolls, tuna crisps, and rainbow vegan rolls. Not only were these beautifully presented, but they were also a hit among our guests. We received so many compliments from our guests, with one guest raving about eating 7 lobster rolls because they were so irresistible! The dinner was equally impressive. Paradise Catering set up a buffet-style live grill featuring perfectly cooked miso cod, succulent steak, creamy mac and cheese, indulgent potatoes au gratin, and artisan bread with tie-dye flower-infused butter. Our guests couldn't stop praising the elegance and flavor of each dish. Beyond the incredible food, the team (Valerie, John, Nancy, and Maria) was exceptional--attentive, thoughtful, and seamless in their service. They even prepared a special platter of hors d'oeuvres for us during the cocktail hour, ensuring we didn't miss out on the delicious offerings! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Paradise Catering for any event. Their combination of culinary artistry and outstanding service made our wedding truly special! Thank you Paradise for an amazing day!! read more

Our guests raved about the amazing food Paradise Catering provided for both our rehearsal dinner and our wedding. They were able to execute two completely different menus for our two events, which was incredibly impressive. The food was made of fresh, local ingredients and it was creative and vibrant. Nancy and her team were a joy to work with! Can't recommend them enough!! read more

Paradise Catering made wedding planning and the entire wedding day sooo much easier. From initial contact, to tasting, to menu selection to the execution the day of, everything was perfect! Food is super important to us, and we wanted tasty food for our wedding guests, not just the normal plated wedding dinner. All the details that Paradise adds to its food makes it not only taste amazing, but also look stunning (tie dye butter and edible flowers in the salad!). I love love love love the chimichurri sauce and was so excited to have it again at our wedding (having first tasted it at the tasting). Valerie was super helpful in helping us make our signature cocktail drink selection and making sure our menu was perfect. Nancy and Ashley were wonderful and so friendly throughout. Ashley made sure we got drinks and some of the hors doeurves right after the ceremony, and that we were well fed! The only thing I'm sad about is that I wasn't able to make my way to the tomato bar. I was so looking forward to it, and even told my husband after the ceremony that we should go to it. But alas, on our way to look for it, we got distracted by the wedding guests. I did see the photos of it, and it looked gorgeous. So gorgeous that my mom thought it was fake / for decoration and didn't know she could eat it. The guests who were able to try it loved it! They said there were so many different varieties of tomatoes! I can only hope to one day attend someone's wedding who also uses Paradise Catering. read more

I have a little secret for you... Jon and Nancy are the reason we chose to get married at Holman Ranch. It may not be immediately obvious why this is true, so let me tell you the story. When looking for a wedding venue, I found Holman Ranch and absolutely fell in love with it. This is tragic because it was really outside outside our budget. And when I say "really" I mean "very much." As I was going through the laundry list of costs we would need to incur for a wedding, desperately thinking of what I could skimp on, I realized I had no idea how much a caterer would cost. Enter Nancy and Jon. They scheduled a tasting for us on short notice and when it was over, the whole deal was sealed. Jon and Nancy are a couple of the most caring and FUN and TALENTED people. Not just in the wedding industry but, like, EVER. As if that wasn't enough (and, well, it kind of isn't when you're scouting wedding vendors!) they were so kind to us during our tasting and made so many wonderful, fresh, delicious dishes for us to try. We loved each and every one of them. Some people, going into this, know exactly what they want. We had a very few, small, unpolished ideas but it would be truthful to say that we didn't have a clue. No problem, Jon and Nancy were there for us. They were willing to work within our very limited budget, suggesting dishes that are awesome but less expensive to prepare on a large scale. We left the tasting sure of several things. First, we REALLY wanted them as our caterer. This is convenient because I wanted Holman Ranch for my venue and these two are like peas and carrots. Second, we knew would be absolutely thrilled at whatever menu we came up with. Third, that their level of experience and professionalism would leave no worries for us on our big day. I was willing to do whatever needed to be done to have Paradise in our pocket and I got lucky enough that it also meant I was on target to have my dream wedding at Holman. All of these proved to be true and our customized Mediterranean menu was OUT OF THIS WORLD. People are STILL raving about it more than a month later. Everything was just freaking fantastic and -- brace yourselves-- I don't have a single complaint! If we throw any of these wild anniversary parties we've been joking about, Nancy will be my first phone call. read more

Paradise Catering - Jon was the head chef at my wedding. Flawless. (Photography by Allyson Magda 2012) - Caterers Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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Another year, another race, and another wonderful set up by Paradise Catering. MotoGP at Laguna Seca and John and his team are there working hard to feed the hungry masses. I had a chance to chat with John this year and probably took more of his time than he could have afforded to give. haha. He's a sweet man with a quick wit and a true love for food and a passion for cooking. He and his staff catered our Turn 4 Suite for 3 days at Mazda Raceway and it was nice to finally get a chance to meet the man behind the food. The homegrown vegetables are clearly superior to anything I've ever had at other events which source their inventories from mass produce chains. The Squash and Zucchini were some of the BEST I'd ever had, and during Sunday's lunch of grilled garden vegetables and Tri Tip steak, I swear I ate more greens than I did meats and I had no regrets. The food (as always) is excellent (friend chicken, pulled pork, tri tip steak, grilled salmon, roasted ham, etc. etc. etc.) and the desserts were simple but enticing. I always look forward to the food in the suites at Laguna, and I'm happy to now have a company to review so that I can share my excitement for my annual visit to Monterey. Thanks for your time, your passion, and your dedication, John. See you next year. "Professor" read more

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Y-U-M. My Bride & Groom selected Paradise Catering and they were on Holman Ranch's preferred vendor list. During the walk-thru, Nancy took the reigns! She knew this property well and answered so many questions, provided suggestions and put the Bride and I, the Planner and Coordinator, to work. Paradise's Ashley and Leilani were also very helpful in regards to planning. The set-up for the wedding's buffet was wonderful, the staff explained each item as they were being served, and the food looked amazing. The flavors left you wanting to take in another fork or spoonful and everything cooked to perfection, not too soggy, not a bit too dry. The black rice is delicious, you can't go wrong with their quinoa but their chimichurri sauce on top of some red meat is making my mouth water just thinking about it. The staff was amazing. They communicated well with me, perfected dining room set-up, paid attention to detail and were very friendly. I didn't hear about any spills, unnecessary drips, dropping of utensils or breaking of stemware, and there were absolutely no complaints from the guests. I had a very happy B&G. Paradise gets the job done. No nonsense. Kudos to Paradise! read more

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When we were going to have a wedding in Carmel, we worked with Paradise Catering to bring it to life. We were going to use them for rehearsal dinner and wedding dinner and happy hour apps. We had the most amazing tasting with them. Their food and menus are locally grown and oh so delicious. They also help to guide you and can provide plateware etc. you can't go wrong choosing Paradise Catering for your rehearsal dinner/wedding. read more

Paradise Catering was the caterer for our recent wedding over Labor Day weekend at Holman Ranch. I'm a foodie and one of the most important concerns at my wedding was the food. We were planning the wedding from Oregon, so we were not going to be involved with any tastings. This was hands off planning for us. We were told they were the best around and I'm now a believer. The food at our wedding was honestly the best that I've ever had at any event. I've been to many weddings and am always attending conferences. Nancy and John, with their staff, worked seamlessly with Holman Ranch to deliver us an outstanding meal. The Salmon with Chimichurri sauce, Chicken with Apricot Chutney and Quinoa, Caprese salad, and roasted vegetables were all amazing. There servers were also outstanding. They appeared everywhere with appetizers during the cocktail hour. Everyone commented how delicious the food was. We requested family style and I saw everyone at our table go for 2nds. It was really that good. I want to thank Paradise Catering for helping deliver us amazing food on one of the most important days of our lives. I'd highly recommend Paradise Catering to anyone looking to host an event in the area. Thanks so much! read more

A WONDERFUL husband wife catering team in carmel valley. Their house is their entire garden, so it doesn't get more local for that. They are a very hands on, VERY talented crew that have been doing it for 20 years. The husband seems to have been professionally trained in France, and they are one of the most interactive and excited couples we have met with. They really work with you, and can expand the menu or really do anything you want. In fact, this is the only caterer we met with that made us feel validated with our previous communications and comments on our theme. I believe that you could give them a precise start to finish dream menu and they would do it with ease. They are also intimately involved with Holman, and have been doing events there for years. They know the property intimately, and put us at ease immediately by making us understand they are familiar and prepared for all situations. FOOD: The apps were very country, and not a traditional banquet style appetizer you might imagine from most caterers. Ahi on wonton, portabella quesadilla, and blue corn chip with shrimp and homemade guac. We also had barebones entrees brought to us: grilled salmon, grilled chicken, and sirloin. It was quite nice to taste how well they cooked the food: I fish constantly, cook salmon all the time, and have had my pop cook the best salmon EVER. It is possible that the husband of the two caterers cooked the best filet of salmon I have ever had. The chicken was also one of the best cooked breasts I have ever had. The steak was fine.... but what highlighed many of these were the homemade sauces: a dill garlic "aoili" but I am getting that wrong I think. A Buerre blanc he whipped up fresh and it was INCREDIBLE. The apricot chutney was awesome. The horseradish sauce was to die for. They are a fantastic couple doing, what is likely to be, the greenest, most local, fresh, and delicious catering in the area. They beat the pants of Grapes of Wrath. However, they seem to mainly barbecue. They do full hors d'oeuvres, bars, etc and every peripheral need for catering... they make it easy with no nickel and diming, and she REALLY REALLY works for you. They have been doing great deals recently for people in this economy. The pics, and setup look WONDERFUL, but this is a more casual style meal, where family style is probably PERFECT for it. If you are looking for a higher end catered meal along lines of a 5 star hotel, this may not be it. This is a casual, simplified, and elegant country style catering company that would do a perfect job for you, without a doubt. read more

There is so much to say about how INCREDIBLE Paradise Catering is. The lovely staff and food are first-class and exceeded all my expectations for food and service on our wedding day at Holman Ranch. From the first time we met with Paradise catering we were beyond impressed with the quality of their service and the food that they made for us. It was so difficult to pick between all of the delicious dishes that they prepared for our tasting. They were so professional and willing to work with us in any way we wished, but at the end of the day there was no need for any adjustments in what they did as they are absolutely perfect at what they do. All the dishes we selected for our special day couldn't have turned out better. Our guests constantly raved at the quality of the food as well as the presentation. I wish we had more leftovers to have taken home with us but as you could imagine food this good wasn't going to be left to take home. I would 1000% recommend Paradise Catering. They are simply the best in the business and you will be so thankful that you selected them to cater you event. read more

THANK YOU so much to Jon, Nancy, Valerie, and the entire Paradise staff for making our wedding day perfect! We got married at Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley on 10.2.21. We're super happy with our experience with Paradise Catering and enjoyed working with them so much. Everything was flawless and top notch from start to finish: 1st initial meeting, tasting, communication back and forth, day of the wedding, clean up and more. Everyone on their team was so friendly, professional and made sure our guests were taken care of! We received so many compliments from our guests that it was the best wedding experience and the best wedding food/service they've ever had. I would highly recommend Paradise for any of your catering needs! read more

Simply put, Paradise is the best caterer you can hire for your event. Working closely with them (in my case primarily w/Nancy) on pricing, menu construction, and execution on our wedding day, was incredibly easy. Nancy did a great job of relaying exactly what we should expect and what their capabilities were. Proof of their performance: throughout the evening our guests commented on how great the food was. (We had Salmon and Pork as entrees) Considering the scale of a 125+ person wedding, they managed to execute perfectly seasoned and cooked food. Considering one of our entrees was a pork tenderloin, the execution was the best we could hope for as the inside of the pork was cooked perfectly with a bit of pink. Servers were prompt but not overbearing and everyone had their wine glass filled throughout the evening. Everyday since my wedding I've reflected on why the day was so perfect. One of the keys to our success on the day was that we had a great team of people helping us and Paradise was an anchor of support. We didn't have to worry about them and let me tell you that that is worth 10x the price they charge on your wedding day. I'd work with them again in a heart beat. read more

Paradise catering is simply exceptional. They just catered our wedding and post-wedding brunch a few weeks ago at Holman Ranch and I cannot thank them enough for how wonderful both the planning process with them was or how amazing the food ended up looking and tasting on our wedding day (and next day). Their chimichurri sauce is to die for and guests said the food was delicious and particularly the lamb with the fig-mint sauce was incredible. We did not realize how important it would be to have such an experienced and thoughtful caterer help with our wedding at HR until we started having to work out all the details of the food, and super woman Nancy would swoop in to fix all potential issues and make sure everything would be exactly the way we wanted. Nancy is a true gem. I want to give her another huge hug for being so wonderful. I really felt like she looked out for us the whole way through and gave us such good advice based on her experience. They really go out of their way to make sure you're happy with the experience (tracked down other vendors to get things they don't do like sushi, and did all the ordering and picking up for us!) which was really unique across wedding vendors. One note is that if you're doing family style, you should specify if veggie side dishes should be separate from meat and fish, since some of our veggie sides ended up being placed with our non-veggie entrees. This ended up being okay because we had some veggie-only dishes made but it's still something to remember to specify if you have a lot of vegetarian guests. It was so nice that they made to-go boxes of food that got put in the refrigerator in our room after the wedding so that we got to enjoy just sitting and eating everything! I'd choose Paradise again in a heartbeat! read more

I'm still hearing raves about the food at my wedding, and it's been over 6 months since the big day. Nancy & John make lovely food that was perfect for our elegant outdoor setting: reflected the bounty of the local area and the season, sophisticated but not fussy, and delicious. Their prices were very reasonable, especially compared to San Francisco/Wine Country wedding industry standards. And because they also provide all dishes and linens (if you can work with their limited options), it's a great bargain. Our Details: * just under 200 adults and 40 kids * 4 served appetizers * self-service cheese station and heirloom tomato bar (yep! straight from their farm/garden with beautiful salts, mozzarella, and basil) * family style meal service (one set of food per 8-person table) * various pies a la mode (no cake) * kids' plates on request Once we had decided to work with them and got into planning mode, they were very forthright about what menu/service options they could handle at the prices they'd quoted us (per plate and for service). If something was going to be more complicated and require more staff to handle, Nancy was sure to mention it. That allowed us to focus our budget on the items we cared most about. And indeed, the service was great -- enough staff to get everything on the tables hot and quickly, keep family platters and glasses replenished, and serve appetizers to all. My one caveat is that they are somewhat less adept at bar arrangements. I think their expertise lies more in their food and serving it. But if your bar service is simple (wines and bottled beers and non-alcoholics, no full bar or per-course wine pairings), they can totally handle it. And it was a great cost savings that Paradise and the venue (Holman Ranch) allowed us to source our own alcohol, and Paradise served and equipped the bars for a flat per-person cost. read more

Paradise just catered our wedding in Big Sur and they were incredibly amazing! My guests are still raving about the food. Nancy and Jon are so easy to work with and so talented! They really went above and beyond for us. Their staff is so professional and attentive. The appetizers were delicious, especially the rainbow roll and the bacon wrapped figs stuffed with goat cheese. Dinner was to die for -- the caprese salad with homegrown heirloom tomatoes is still on my mind. Everything was perfect and delicious! Thank you so much Paradise for everything! If you are lucky enough to book them for your event -- you are in for a treat! read more

Paradise Catering - Skirt Steak with grilled veggies, risotto and chimichurri sauce. Amazing! - Caterers Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

When we were searching for caterers for our wedding, we knew we wanted to find a caterer that served the freshest and the best ingredients. We fell in love with Paradise's concept of farm to table which, in many respects, is true given that they grow most of their ingredients in their own backyard! We also knew we wanted a caterer that could allow us to get as creative as we wanted to be, and Paradise did just that. We were able to build a custom menu together based on our needs and the results were outstanding. There is a certain art to cooking that Paradise exhibits in both it's food and it's presentation. Jon and Nancy, owners of Paradise worked with us to build the menu of our dreams and executed the menu with pizazz! The food looked and tasted great! In addition, keeping budget in mind, we also appreciated the fact that the price covered all silverware, flatware and linen rentals which saved us lots of money in the long run. Overall, We were extremely pleased with the quality of service and the quality of food served at our wedding. read more

Where to begin... The staff and food by Paradise Catering are first-class and exceeded any expectations for both food and service that I ever thought I might have at my wedding. We used Paradise Catering for both our rehearsal dinner and wedding reception at Gardener Ranch. Nancy was an absolute pleasure to work with in planning the menus, and she is thoughtful and accommodating for all needs! She has great ideas that will fit whatever vision you might have for your day. Furthermore, the food was fresh, beautifully displayed, and just absolutely phenomenal!! In addition to the phenomenal food, the staff is amazing. Anytime I had random questions throughout the planning process, I would simply call Paradise Catering, and Ashley/Valerie/Nancy were super accessible and helpful! This was such incredible peace of mind during a stressful planning time. At the actual wedding reception, the Paradise Catering staff constantly checked in with me (the bride) to see if I had everything that I needed to eat and drink. They made me feel like a princess! I would MOST strongly recommend Paradise Catering!! I wish I could have another event in the Carmel Valley area just to work with them again!! read more

They catered a wedding we attended this past weekend. AMAZING. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. And, they all tasted fresh and AMAZING. The staff was impressive. Friendly, attentive, and fun. This food was the BEST, by far, of any Bay area wedding or event I have been to. Or, just any wedding I have been to period. My husband and I left with food babies. And, we were still talking about the food the next day. I have no idea what they are like to work with or plan with, but as a guest, it was outstanding. read more

I was all set to write a long, glowing review of Paradise Caters, but someone beat me to it! So let me just say "Ditto" to everything below, and let me add that John and Nancy are GREAT improvisers. My husband is Turkish so I really wanted to have Turkish food at the wedding, while still being accessible to all my family members. John did a great job tweaking and adding to his menu to give everything a really wonderful middle eastern flair while still being fresh and delicious and accessible to everyone. He even made a trip to a halal market and got us some halva, turkish snacks and even Turkish tea cups for me and my husband to enjoy. It really made him feel at home when he was so far away. So ABOVE AND BEYOND is definitely the operative phrase for Paradise. read more

Their food is so unbelievably fresh and the presentation is beautiful. We couldn't believe how much food we got for what we paid! They had great communication with us from the first meeting and were plain and simply a joy to work with! They will be our go to for every event/party we have. Thank you John & Nancy! You are the best! read more

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We had our wedding on Saturday, May 5th, 2018. Everything from start to end was FABULOUS!!! The setup and food was great and the staff was wonderful! I can't thank them enough, all the guests were giving the food high praise throughout the event. So, thank you Paradise Catering!!! read more

The Paradise Catering dinner for our wedding in Carmel Valley (Holman Ranch) this September was truly delicious. Multiple guests remarked it was the best wedding meal they'd ever had, and my new husband and I agreed. It was very well prepared and truly rich in flavor. The meal was also healthy and made with several local and organic ingredients. I would not hesitate twice to book Paradise for your wedding if you can. The team was also kind, responsive and cooperative. A delight! read more

It's hard to say anything about Paradise that I haven't seen on a previous post except perhaps INCREDIBLE! We hired Nancy and John and their crew at Paradise to cater our wedding at Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley and it was one of the best and easiest decisions we made. Together we choose a unique, challenging, yet fun menu and the team at Paradise pulled it off without a hitch. Everything was prepared on-site and looked and taste incredible. Our friends are still talking about it! Among all the hard decisions and stresses of putting together a wedding, Paradise made catering easy! I would definitely recommend them for any event. read more

Highest marks possible! Fabulous food and service. Absolute perfection! I just got married at Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley and Paradise Catering handled the dinner. My wife and I planned the entire wedding from Wisconsin, site unseen. We were confident with our choice of Holman Ranch but were nervous about the food since we did not do any sort of tasting ahead of time. Paradise Catering far exceeded all our expectations. Two hours before the wedding was the first time I had met any staff from Paradise and immediately all my fears were put to rest. They were professional in every way and were so familiar with the venue that they kindly made alternate set up suggestions from my own for the bar and starters which worked out perfectly. The served every part of the meal and drinks to perfection. Zero complaints! Chef Jon prepared the food from scratch on site making for a fresh tasting, absolutely fabulous meal, start to finish. The presentation of each part of the meal was elegant and truly a work of art. It was pleasure meeting someone whose passion for his trade permeated every part of his business. Hands down, this was the best catered meal I have ever had. Without hesitation, I would highly recommend Paradise Catering. Simply fabulous! read more

Paradise catered my wedding June 26th and there are no words to describe how incredible Paradise Catering is! Cannot count how many people all said "Wow the food! THE FOOD!!" It made me smile every time I heard it! You cannot be disappointed with this team, they are phenomenal and your guests will be blown away. If I could rate them 10 stars I would! From start to finish I wouldn't choose any other catering company!! read more

Paradise Catering - Live grill! - Caterers Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

My fiancee and I are annoying foodies from San Francisco, so when we decided to get married in Carmel Valley instead of Sonoma or Napa we were concerned that we would have to compromise on our catering. We did hours of research and went to a number of tastings. To cut to the punchline, Paradise Catering created the most delicious and unique wedding banquet we have ever had - and all at an amazingly affordable price and with professional and fun service. There are not enough superlatives to describe our experience working with Paradise, but we'll try. First, the food. My fiancee and I had a very specific vision for what we wanted to serve at our wedding. We wanted dishes that blended elements of Western and Eastern cuisine without falling prey to faux-fusion elements. Our first tasting with Paradise was incredible - every dish they served, mostly from their standard repertoire, was excellent, and easily would have been some of the best wedding food we've ever had - but it (understandably) wasn't what we were looking for. We spent the next couple of weeks going back and forth with John and Nancy with recipe ideas, even creating a few totally new dish ideas (e.g. sambal romesco to take arancini to the next level, and Thai fish sauce-styled fried chicken to spice up -- literally -- a chicken and waffle hors d'oeuvre). John and Nancy were awesome collaborators with us in designing our menu. We did a second tasting with Paradise, which they don't usually do. This gave us all the confidence in the world that our kind of wacky menu ideas would work. On the day of our wedding, we still had a few reservations that the food we tasted wouldn't be as good when scaled up to over 200 guests. But man o man did Paradise execute on the menu. Our married friends warned us to expect wedding food to be only 80% as good as during the tasting. But this was not the case with Paradise. The food we ate during our wedding among our 200 guests was an exact replica of the individual portions we had during our tasting. Our guests loved our food and like others have said in their reviews of Paradise, if you go with these guys, you are guaranteeing that your guests will be telling you that this was the best wedding food they've ever had. This was certainly the case with us, but what was even more impressive was that Paradise created the best wedding food our wedding guests had ever had with a collection of recipes that they had never prepared for a wedding before and that we created out of our own twisted culinary imaginations. Second, communication. Leading up to the wedding, we sent more than a couple dozen emails to Nancy and Ashley. They were so patient with us and super responsive. Ashley deserves a huge shout out for being one of the most (if not the most) accommodating, friendly, and effective point person of any vendor we worked with. On the day of our wedding, Ashley also took amazing care of us and made sure we were super well-fed. Unlike other vendors (including other caters) Paradise offered us a 100% BS-free contract. We could not believe that there were no hidden charges in their contract but now that the wedding is over, we can tell all future potential clients that Paradise charges exactly what they say they will and what they say is included is exactly what is included. Every utensil, glass, plate, server, and bartender are really included. Third, the service. Paradise complements their amazing food with amazing service. I didn't catch all their names, but Paradise's bartenders and servers were patient, professional, and effective. The bartenders were both fun and responsible. The servers did a great job handling our family style banquet and handled our wine service very effectively. Fourth, value. Paradise could easily raise their prices and still be the best value caterers in the Carmel region. At one point we were willing to spend a huge premium to get Paradise to cater our wedding due to some complications with our venue. In the end we didn't have to but we were absolutely willing to because their food is at such a high level of quality that they were easily worth it. Wedding catering isn't cheap, but Paradise offers an unquestionable bargain for their quality. Lastly, the intangibles. John, Nancy, Ashley, and the service staff at Paradise put a smile on our face during the whole wedding-planning process. As such an important part of our wedding, the intangible way that Chef John and the Paradise team made us so deeply happy is the most important, but hardest to describe, quality one could hope for in a wedding vendor. Maybe it's the way the whole team made us feel important and like our wedding was the only wedding that mattered to them. More likely, the whole Paradise team just cares so much about their clients. Even though weddings are one-time deals, there was never a single moment when I felt like we were being treated like anything but their most important friends. read more

We could not be more pleased with our experience with Paradise Catering! During our initial tasting in 2019, my fiancé and I walked away shocked in the best way at how tasty the food was! We felt like we were given special treatment by Nancy and Jon as they served us such delicious and unique bites and customized the experience for us - we even got a goody bag of leftovers when we finished! Leading up to our (eventual) wedding this February, the staff was overly accommodating and understanding with so many changes. They worked with us throughout the pandemic and made sure we were happy with the final outcome - and that we were! Valerie met us on site for our walk through and again was so friendly and so wonderful. On the day of, Nancy made it a point to say hi to us and it felt so amazing to have their team be a part of our day. The food was outstanding, and all our guests complimented it. I would recommend Paradise to anyone!!! We are so grateful. read more

Paradise Catering just catered our Holman wedding. I cannot say enough about working with Nancy and Jon. I was, tried and true, *that* bride. The bride who worked in Hospitality her whole life (sommelier training, Michelin 3* Restaurant, 5* international catering experience) ... and then planned a wedding. Detail-oriented doesn't begin to describe it. Given all of that: 1) Pre-wedding: the tasting was phenomenal, every email/meeting/interaction leading up to was thoughtful and easy, Nancy brought me popcorn while I was getting ready :) 2) During-wedding: the food + timing of service were at the highest level. I walked into this process with the highest of expectations but some reservations. Every plate was hot. Every morsel delicious. Wine service was 'on point.' The staff was congenial, celebratory, professional, attentive... 3) After-wedding: they left us a to-go box stuffed with enough goods to have an after-party feast with our guests who stayed on-site. Nancy, Jon, Leilani, Heather - and the whole Paradise crew - you nailed it. To anyone considering them - go for it. Wedding catering does come with a bit of a price tag. But, think about it, it's your one time to treat all the people you love to a meal they'll never forget - because it was delicious, approachable and a true celebration of the Carmel Valley. read more

I love food. I'm a foodie and often very hard to please when it comes to food, especially wedding food. But Paradise blew me away from the moment I tried their food. They knew all my crazy food dreams for my wedding and made it happen. The food was incredible and now days post wedding, guests are still messaging us telling us how good the food was. As we had to postpone wedding several times due to Covid, they were extremely easy and accommodating with rescheduling and making guest count changes. They never made it a hassle to change unlike other vendors. They made us feel special and loved. Always there to support us and make our dreams come true. Not only was the food incredible, their staff and owners are the best. Valerie was always quick to respond to emails and always making sure our dreams were coming true. The owners, Nancy and Jon, there are no words for them. Helpful, communicative, friendly, and a joy to be around. We loved learning about their garden and locally sourced produce. We loved working with all of them during the planning process and day of. On wedding day, they always made sure we had everything we needed and checked on us throughout the night to accommodate us. We could not have picked a better caterer. Amazing food, locally sourced produced, friendly staff who accommodated every road bump along the way. We will forever use Paradise for our catering needs. read more

Phenomenal quality, value, creativity, and service. THE premiere caterer in the Monterey-Carmel area. Food at our wedding was top notch, tasting was a blast, cool calm vibe was refreshing. Can't beat Paradise in the valley or on the Monterey peninsula! read more

Delicious food was the focal point of our wedding reception and rehearsal dinner at Holman Ranch. Choosing Paradise Catering was one of the best decisions we made during the planning process and our decision paid off big time. It's been wonderful receiving compliments from our guests about how amazing the food was. Jon, Nancy, and the rest of the staff were dedicated to making our weekend absolutely perfect and it was clear from the start that their passion for food would impress each and every guest. They helped us pick the perfect menus and were able to provide so much clarity around how the evenings would be structured. Wedding's can be stressful for a bride and groom, but having the Paradise Catering Team made everything run smoothly. There was a heart-warming moment before dinner where this became abundantly clear to me. As we returned from pictures, the photographers, and myself were picking 1,000's of foxtails from my wife's dress. When Nancy stopped by and joined our efforts I knew they were invested in the overall success of our special day! read more

We have nothing but great things to say about Jon and Nancy! Not only are they extremely personable but they are just great at what they do! Our daughter got married at Holman Ranch and we went with Paradise Catering after going to 4 other tastings!! They were the best hands down as far as freshness and taste! The food was fantastic we have only had words like "Fantastic" "outstanding" and AWSOME! From all of the guest at the wedding and my husband who is quite the food critique thought they were also all of the above!!! But not only was the food great the service was outstanding from start to finish! Nancy answered all our questions every time we called her and we called her many times! She was extremely helpful and reliable! The servers were all friendly and responded quickly to everything asked of them! If you are looking for top notch and a class act you have to go with Paradise Catering! read more

They have catered every event or party for us in the last six years. Always spot on perfect. Imaginative and as fresh as can be. Presentation is every bit as delightful as their flavors. read more

WOW! They just catered all three of my daughter's wedding events. The welcome barbecue (on the beach), the wedding dinner (at Holman Ranch), and the farewell brunch (at our home). Extremely professional, excellent food (best catered event ever, and better than 99% of the peninsula restaurants), and a pleasure to work with. I come from LA and these people are better than anyone we ever used (most of whom were good themselves). Comments from our guests confirmed this opinion. They were very easy to work with, their staff was excellent, and their pricing was fair. Overall A+ (and I'm not an easy grader). Book early, they are very popular. read more

Oh WOW!! I want another event just to be able to work with and ENJOY the wonderful experience Paradise Catering provides! My husband and I met with Nancy and Ashley to discuss what we wanted. They totally got it and made some great suggestions/additions. Ashley was exceptional in her hand holding talents and prompt follow up. (do NOT be deceived by her young look; she is very talented!) She has a gracious "can do" attitude and made us feel so at ease. Ashley arrived last night with a staff of 5, Wendy, Monica, Cheydi, Luis and Francisco, one and a half hours before the party started. They were AMAZING!! When the first guests arrived (on time) EVERYTHING was ready to go ~ fabulous, luxe, deeeelish table of hor d'oeuvres, bar and grill station. The service was impeccable, the staff delightful. The food? Where are the adjectives to describe the mouth watering deliciousness of their food? It was beautifully displayed and served and just to-the-moon in flavors! My friends have been calling and texting all day to rave on about the meal! After we ate and dessert was put out, they discretely cleaned up and slipped out without disrupting the ongoing party! It was a perfect evening and we are so grateful to Paradise Caterers for the very big part they played in it! read more

We used Nancy's team from Paradise Catering for our wedding at Holman Ranch (Carmel Valley, CA) in March 2016. We highly recommend them for catering your wedding! Food Paradise served passed appetizers and a live grill with amazing fresh food. The variety and freshness of the dishes were spectacular and our guests were raving about the appetizers and dinner dishes throughout. We heard from several of our guests that it was the best wedding food they ever had, and nearly everybody had a clean plate afterwards (several went back for seconds!). Services Nancy and her assistant, Ashley, were highly attentive to our needs throughout the event and executed flawlessly. We had several last minute requests that they honored and their whole team was supportive throughout the big day. They provided full bartending services, cut and served the wedding cake, and had several other nice touches (iced tea/lemonade before, coffee/hot tea after, s'mores for the fire pit, etc.). It was clear the whole team was experienced with our venue, and we're incredibly happy with how the whole event went. We highly encourage you to meet with Nancy's team and try their food! We highly recommend their services. read more

Paradise did a great job catering my wedding at Holman Ranch this month. We weren't the easiest clients to work with since we had a specific budget in mind that we were determined to stick to, but Paradise helped us do a casual menu that went perfectly with the overall feel of the wedding. My fiancee (now husband) was determined to have a whole roast pig on display and Paradise executed the concept perfectly. The other factor that was important to both of us was that we have hot, flavorful food prepared on-site. To save on staffing costs, we managed the food and most drinks for our cocktail hour (Holman Ranch did a wine tasting for us so out-of-town guests could sample their wines and enjoy a taste of Northern California without going off-site, and Paradise provided a carafe of hot apple cider that we served with stroopwafels to use as toppers). We also set up the table linens ourselves before Paradise arrived, which helped minimize staffing costs. Ultimately, we had great reviews from guests who especially loved the grilled vegetables and the pulled pork on the menu. And, everyone had enough to eat until they were stuffed. Nick mentioned during our first meeting that Paradise isn't the cheapest caterer in the area, but we're very happy we went with them. We got exactly what we wanted in terms of the quality of food, and were pleasantly surprised when they provided a small plate of extra appetizers for the cocktail hour! If you're planning a wedding at Holman, I'd strongly recommend going with Paradise for both quality, and their knowledge of the venue. They knew Holman better than I did and it made things so much smoother because they were able to consider things I wouldn't have thought of. And, they handled clean up without a hitch - I didn't even notice them clearing out, but everything was perfectly neat when they left. Even if your event is elsewhere, I'd still recommend Paradise if your budget can handle it. You'll get fresh, well-prepared food from people who know and care about what they're doing - there's not much else you can ask for in a caterer! read more

Paradise Catering has taken care of us numerous times and they always make our events spectacular and worry free. Their staff is attentive, friendly, and very professional. Their food is exquisite, often locally grown, thoughtfully presented, and always tasty. They bring everything and clean everything when they go. It makes hosting parties so enjoyable and worry free for me. When John and Nancy say they are "here from Paradise", you know the angels have arrived! read more

Amazing catering for our wedding! All the guests were really surprised and impressed by the live grill.